Indian Coast Guard to bring back six fishermen from Myanmar

Port Blair, Nov 24 (UNI) Indian Coast Guard ship ''Vajra'' will bring back from Myanmar six Andaman fishermen, who had inadvertently drifted to Myanmar in September due to engine failure, on November 30.

The fishermen were presently staying in a temple of Yangoon.

''ICGS Vajra'', ''ICGS Ganga Devi'' and ''ICGS Akka Devi'' today sailed for Yangoon for repatriation of 160 Myanmar fishermen, who had completed their jail term in Andaman for illegal poaching in Andaman water.

'' While returning our ship, we will bring back all six Andaman fishermen from Yangoon. We will also try to bring back their fishing boat also, '' Inspector General S P Sharma, Commander of Andaman and Nicobar Coast Guard Region, told media persons here today.

'' Last year also Coast Guard ships repatriated 432 Myanmar fishermen. The Coast Guard ships had also got back four innocent Indian fishermen from these far-flung islands. Coast Guard ship Vajra is based at Visakhapatnam, while ICGS Ganga Devi and Akka Devi are based at Port Blair. The ships will reach Yangoon on November 26 and after completing the formalities depart Yangoon on November 29 and will arrive Port Blair the next day, '' he stated. The repatriation had been planned consequent to an agreement between the Union of Myanmar and Indian Government.

Officials of the Myanmar Embassy in New Delhi and consulate General of Myanmar in Kolkatta were in Port Blair to co-ordinate the pre-repatriation formalities and take over the Myanmar nationals on behalf of their government, Mr Sharma added.

'' The visit of the Coast Guard ships to Yangoon for repatriation will help reinvigorate the international cooperation with Myanmar and foster the nation's interest in furthering our bilateral relations, '' he added.

UNI SKR SJC DB1941